Microsoft recently updated its Zune software client to version 4.8.2345.0 which, among many other features, brought official support for the upcoming Mango refresh of the Windows Phone platform. Without leaving Mac behind in preparing computers for the new OS, Redmond has also updated the Mac client.
The Windows Phone Connector for Mac has now reached version 2.0 and it brings a lot of features and fixes, aside from the Mango support. It nowoffers full sync and import support for Apple Aperture software, drag and drop import of files from Browse Device, ringtone transfer support, improved video conversion, support for Windows Phone Marketplace, 13 additional languages and more. You can grab the application by following the iTunes source link below.
Tonight we were at the U.S. launch of the Samsung Galaxy S II variations coming soon to AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. These devices are similar to Samsung's international version of the Galaxy S II which is very popular in Europe. Five million have already been sold globally. Samsungalso announced their new chief marketing officer Todd Pendleton who previously worked for Nike. The event consisted of a presentation illustrating some of the cool features in the new Galaxy S 2 devices such as the Super AMOLED+ screen, 1080p high bit rate video recording, protected HDMI output for DRM'd content, photo and video editing software, very fast dual core processor, integrated Vlingo voice command, and even some enterprise security and hardware encryption features.
The T-Mobile version of the Galaxy S II was actually under glass at this event, so we didn't get to use that one. Its final specifications haven't been announced just yet and one of the differences is that it has a different type of dual-core processor.
AT&T's version will have a 4.3" screen where as the Sprint and T-Mobile versions will have a 4.52" SuperAMOLED+ screen. The AT&T version will also be thinner than the others at 8.89 millimeters.
I held AT&T Galaxy S 2 (Sprint version pictured above) next to the Infuse 4G which is also very thin and the difference was not noticeable.
HDMI output to a 1080p HD screen looked very nice. Samsung says it's Blu-ray quality.
The HTC HD2 has long proved its ability to run Windows Phone 7 -- among others like Android -- which still makes it an iconic phone to come out from the Taiwanese phone maker's factory. It now gets the ultimate treat, an unofficial Windows Phone ROM which allows for official updates.
The ROM is Build 7.0.7004.0, so it's the original Windows Phone launched last year and is available in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish, with the possibility of updating all the way to 7720, which is Mango RTM. It's not the ROM though that is a breakthrough but its ability to be officially updated by Microsoft via the Zune software, just like any other legacy Windows Phone. The ROM also seems to retain its jailbreak state after updates, which is great for those looking for registry editing or sideloading of apps.
If you want to run Windows Phone 7 on your HTC HD2, head over to the source link and carefully read the instructions as well as the risks plus feedback in order to make it work.
This is the HTC Omega, an upcoming WindowsPhone 7 device from HTC (likely to be announced at the September 1 press event). It'll come in a white/silver color combination, perhaps with aluminum construction, and may be called the HTC Radar upon release.
Rumored to be powered by a 1.5GHz QualcommSnapdragon MSM8255 SoC (likely to be single-core), and include 512MB of RAM, the HTC Omega also features a front-facing camera, perhaps ushering in the era of Skype integration on WP7 devices for video chat.
The rumor mill puts it as having a 3.8" SLCD display and an 8MP camera on the rear. We also expect HTC to announce a second, higher-endWindows Phone 7 next week, codenamed the HTC Eternity.
Being the gadget hounds that we are, we're still struggling to fully digest the Micro Four Thirds / interchangeable lens camera market. The performance freak in us suggests that one simply buy a smaller DSLR given the parallel annoyance of carrying around a bag full of lenses, but the mobility junkie in usdoes appreciate the downsizing -- however minor. Olympus' PEN line has been a beautiful one from the start, but one that found itself out of consideration for many due to the poor value proposition. Even the newest PEN E-P3 isn't a bargain; at $900 with a somewhat versatile 14-42mm lens, it's well north of most entry-level DSLRs, and on-par with many mid-rangers. So, is it really worth splurging on a slightly more compact frame, devilishly good looks and "the world's fastest autofocus system?" Read on for our take.
It's a PEN! It's beautiful! In all seriousness, we simply adore the styling here, and while it's not quite as retro-ific as Fujifilm's X100, there's plenty of class and sophistication here to go around. We also love just how how many buttons, wheels and knobs are splattered everywhere. We know -- novices will probably detest the learning curve -- but the target market here will no doubt appreciate it. The only major knock is the absence of dedicated ISO and White Balance buttons; that first one is particularly frustrating, but that's coming from a crew that has grown spoiled by a simple wheel-turn ISO adjustment on Nikon's D3S.
The company still hasn't throw in an optical viewfinder, but the stunning OLED touchscreen is about as good as it gets for this segment. We didn't find the touchpanel functionality to be all that useful (even when touching to focus on objects in the dark, it refused to obey), but at least it's easy to disable. We also appreciate the dedicated Movie Record button, which can get an HD clip rolling regardless of where the Mode Dial is at. The pop-up flash is a major improvement (you know, compared to not having one at all), and the menu system / user interface is downright beautiful. In fact, we wish every other camera maker out there would have a gander at what Olympus has done here; the text is crisp, the menus are easy to navigate and the icons are beautiful to look at.
Image and video quality
For an absurdly in-depth look at what the "new" 12.3 megapixel Live MOS sensor is capable of in just about every scenario, we'd encourage you to peek the extra reviews linked below in our 'More Coverage' section. From an amateur's viewpoint, we have to confess that our love affair with the design and usability don't entirely bleed over to the image results. For all intents and purposes, the output you'll get here is eerily similar to that found in the E-P2. Even more depressing is the low-light performance; while the ISO ceiling sits at 12,800, anything over 3,200 results in a tear-jerking amount of noise.
We also aren't the hugest fans of the iconic "Olympus" color results -- it's not exactly saturated, but it has this unmistakable "digitized" look that is notably absent in any mid-range DSLR on the market. The built-in ART and SCENE filters are clever, and most 'em do more good than harm, but we'd recommend steering clear for anyone that owns Photoshop and / or Lightroom. You're just better off capturing a "standard" image, and then adding the desired effects afterwards. If you embed the effect in the camera, there's no "standard" image to revert back to.
On the upside, the autofocus system truly is a monumental improvement over the E-P2. It's shockingly quick, and ranks up there with many of the higher-end DSLR rigs that we've handled. The bundled 14-42mm kit lens is rather handy, and it's not awkwardly large, either. The company threw in its 12mm wide-angle pancake as well, and while it did a similarly great job, the $800 price tag on that glass alone is almost shameful. In fact, just thinking of it brings us back to the biggest argument against this form factor: if you're going to invest thousands in lenses, shouldn't you invest in a marginally larger body with far more amenities? At any rate, take a dive into our sample galleries for a taste of what this guy offers.
On the movie side, the 720p quality is just beautiful... if you've got it mounted on a tripod. Even the slightest hand movement introduces a disgusting amount of "jelly," as is showcased in our samples below. It's a shame, really -- you can pretty much bet that whatever video you shoot handheld will be marred by an impossible-to-miss jelly effect. Olympus rates the battery for 330 shots, and in our testing we managed just over 200 snaps mixed with a half-hour of video and untold minutes of idly leaving the LCD on. Not particularly longevous, but it should be plenty to get you through the average vacation day.
Wrap-up
At $900, the E-P3 kit is a far better value than the E-P1 and E-P2 before it, primarily due to the overhauled autofocus system and stunning OLED touchpanel. But when you realize what kind of money you'll be pouring into lenses -- objects that make this guy far less portable from a holistic viewpoint -- the reality starts to sink in. This is still a pricey luxury aimed at a niche, albeit one that's growing by the day. In our estimation, the only meaningful size savings associated with a Micro Four Thirds rig is in the body itself, and if you plan on using the kit lens alone, you may be fine. But if you plan on actually taking advantage of the whole interchangeable lens function, you could be better off buying glass for a smaller Digital SLR.
For those dead-set on this category, though, the E-P3 doesn't innovate enough from an image quality standpoint to justify an upgrade, and for newcomers, that $900 price point is awfully hard to swallow. Here's hoping the E-P4 will hit with an MSRP that doesn't give us so much pause.
Look, the Olympus PEN E-PL3 is cute. Adorable, even. In fact, those swayed by looks alone may be sold after whisking through our hands-on gallery below. But for those interested in more than a highly-capable fashion accessory, it's worth taking a deeper look into the latest member of the PEN Lite family. We'd strongly recommend reading over our PEN E-P3 review before continuing on, as a lot of what we found true there also applies here. 'Course, that's not at all unexpected given the wealth of shared resources: a new 12.3-megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor, TruePic VI Image Processor, an ISO range peaking at 12,800, a reengineered autofocus system, full 1080i HD video with Dolby Digital sound recording, newly designed user interfaces and a variety of Art Filters / built-in creative features. Now that you're in the know, let's continue.
Without qualification, the actual aesthetic of the E-PL3 is what most separates it from the bulkier, more prosumer-focused E-P3. Well, that and the price. From a design standpoint, the PEN Lite E-PL3 is far slimmer than the E-P3, yet it retains a heavier, metallic body that won't soon be mistaken for a toy. The smaller size comes with quite a few compromises. For one, there's no built-in flash, but Olympus was smart enough to toss in a hot-shoe flash accessory for those needing one. Moreover, the tilting LCD on the rear lacks support for touch -- hardly a deal-breaker for us, but others may disagree.
The real kicker is the dearth of modal buttons. There's a single scroll wheel (which is fixed quite close to the body), and far fewer buttons / knobs for tweaking manual settings on the fly. Those looking for a wealth of manual controls will obviously be disappointed, but to be fair, the E-PL3 isn't aimed at that market. By and large, those familiar with the face of the E-P3 will have no troubles acclimating, but you'll need to adjust to having fewer knobs to turn when looking to tweak things.
The overall build quality is nothing short of exemplary, and the metallic body exudes quality. A front-mounted grip would've been appreciated, but outside of that, it's hard to kvetch about the chassis. Also noteworthy is the battery; not only did it last for around 215 shots with around 30 minutes of video thrown in, but it's also the same cell found in the E-P3. Naturally, that makes charging and battery swapping a breeze for families that intend to own both.
Image and video quality
Same story, different day. Due to the highly similar internals in the E-PL3, the output is effectively identical to that of the E-P3. In other words, our gripes of excessive "jelly vision" in the videos and an overly digitized look to untouched images stands here as well, and while the E-P3 claims to have the planet's fastest autofocus system, the E-PL3 can't be far behind. We never found ourselves wishing for E-P3-level quickness whilst using the E-PL3, and that's a good thing.
We will say, however, that it was indeed more difficult to get our settings just so on the E-PL3, frustrating us into using the Automatic mode far more often than not. In fact, Olympus has deactivated some of the more advanced menu settings on the E-PL3, while leaving them unhidden by default on the E-P3. It's a nasty little trick, and it took us a bit to uncover what we just knew was there. Granted, we're glad that the company kept 'em in there (versus stripping them entirely), but it's still somewhat annoying. On the plus side, the refreshed UI seen on the E-P3 is present here as well, and it's still just as charming. Have a gander at our galleries and video to get a glimpse at what this guy offers, and be sure to dive intoePHOTOZine's review (linked in 'More Coverage' below) for a more in-depth peek at the sensor's capabilities.
Wrap-up
At $700 (with the same 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 lens that's bundled with the E-P3), the E-PL3 comes off a full $200 cheaper than its bulkier brother. And to us, it makes all the difference in the world. Despite having fewer buttons to mash and wheels to turn, the price point here doesn't put in direct competition with some of the nicer mid-range DSLRs. In other words, the E-PL3 is priced closer to a level that we'd expect -- at least, until you price out that $800 12mm wide-angle lens that's shown throughout this review.
Quality-wise, you're getting (largely) the same results as the more expensive E-P3, but in a lighter / cheaper package. The only problem? Sony's NEX-C3. That fellow offers the same -- if not superior -- performance in a kit that's priced at just $600, and unless you're already invested in Olympus glass, we can't offer a single compelling reason to buy the (admittedly more handsome) E-PL3 over that.
